How to get them all to play together ?

Home automation, entertainment, mobile devices, routers, cable modems, security, and a whole range of devices are a part of the connected modern home. That’s the mission of the Universal Plug and Play Forum. It assumes IP networking, and then gets them all working together. A lot of it is behind the scenes, without the user being aware of any specific app, insuring that devices interoperate. Over a thousand companies are part of the consortium. A number of other organizations (Suchas DNLA) or devices or apps such as Skype, X-Box or Playstation transparently opening correct ports and authorizing activities within your home network.